PUTTING TOGETHER A REALISTIC PLAN WITH CLEAR OVERSIGHT, RESPONSIBILITIES AND MONITORING CAN HELP ACHIEVE A PAINLESS IMPLEMENTATION.

Well perhaps not entirely painless. Encountering some unexpected issues is normal when implementing a major system such as an Association Management System (AMS). However, with a well thought-out plan in place, the unexpected can be managed with minimal disruption as you move along the path to an on-time, on-budget implementation according to specifications.

In working with our clients some of the keys to success that we have observed are:

Associations typically have an organizational strategic plan. But there is often a lack of strategy when it comes to technology, even though it is needed in order to implement successful marketing and membership initiatives.

You don’t need to be a million-dollar organization to be innovative. You just need to be opportunity thinkers.

Members of the .orgSource team recently attended the Wisconsin Society of Association Executives Innovation Summit. Pam Henderson, Ph.D., author of “You Can Kill an Idea, But You Can't Kill an Opportunity!” was the keynote speaker. Her presentation got me thinking: How could I (and the associations that I work with) become “opportunity thinkers”?

The American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, prodded by some of its members, came upon an idea to get them more engaged: Instead of rewarding them for who they are, reward them for what they do for the association.

Maintenance. It’s not an exciting concept, but maintenance is required for ensuring your vehicle runs reliably, your home remains safe and comfortable, even that you don’t regain the weight your worked so hard to lose last summer!

We are very pleased to have a guest blogger sharing his thoughts today on gamification. Jack McGrath is president and creative director of Digitec Interactive. For the last 20 years, he has worked exclusively in digital media, specializing in eLearning.

Here at .orgSource, we are developing a guest blogging relationship with Digitec Interactive. It is a 25-year-old company specializing in eLearning and web application development, with full-service eLearning and digital media production facilities in Orlando, Florida and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Have you heard that recently from a member of your association? If so, it’s not surprising.

Member demands have put a lot of pressure on associations to have robust, user-friendly websites. The surge in the use of mobile devices means that organizations need to create a positive mobile experience for their members as well.

From Our Clients

"The American Association of Endodontists hired .orgSource to assist in the planning and implementation of an aggressively scheduled Web site redesign and CMS upgrade in 2009. Sherry's thorough knowledge of the process, history working with many industry partners, familiarity with various technical platforms and expert advice has been invaluable to both members and staff. I am consistently impressed by her insight and flexibility, and highly recommend her as a resource."

Harriet Bogdanowicz, Nonprofit Organization Executive

“I've worked with Sherry and her team at .orgSource twice over the past couple years. First, she helped me fill our website editor position (almost a year later, he's still a perfect fit). Then, we hired her as a consultant to help us transition our hosting company and launch a "refreshed" homepage. The process was seamless and even came in under budget. The team at .orgSource had great ideas as creative partners and were very easy to work with. I would recommend Sherry to others in the association business looking for some outside help to make sure a job gets done right the first time."

American Student Dental Association

Cheryl Wilson, senior manager of marketing

"Sherry served as chief staff executive officer for the information systems for-profit subsidiary wholly owned by the American Academy of Dermatology where I served as Interim Executive Director. AAD is one of the largest medical specialty societies in the country, with over $25 million annual revenue. Sherry managed the AAD for-profit subsidiary; her team dealt with many demands from a variety of medical practices in addition to all the details of the information systems within our offices. She also organized support for other medical societies via contracted services from her team to these outside organizations.

Her work was professionally superb, based on excellent assessments of market opportunities, timely, and cheerfully delivered. I'm delighted to recommend her for your organization.”

Bob Bolan, non-profit organization management professional

"Sherry is truly committed to the association industry in finding creative solutions for all of her clients. What I admire most about Sherry's expertise and experience is she knows how to get things done fulfilling realistic expectations where others might over-promise and under-deliver. In my mind this is what sets her apart. Her business model at .orgSource is a great way to tap into a multidisciplinary breadth and depth of experience to the benefit of the association."

Social Frequency Media Communications

Stuart Meyer, president and founder

"I have worked with Sherry on a couple of occasions and she has always been very professional. Sherry is full of ideas and understands my needs which makes her stand out from other Web consultants. She pays close attention to the situations and provides solutions. I highly recommend Sherry and orgSource."

American Society of Cytopathology

Beth Jenkins, executive director

"Sherry is hands-down our first call whenever a new website-related project is proposed. She has worked with us through various iterations of the AAE website over the last 10+ years, and has been invaluable to those projects' success. We continue to return to her as our primary IT consultant because of her deep and detailed knowledge of this broad and ever-changing field, ability to understand and adjust to our particular situation and resources, management of expectations (with staff and our member leaders), and she's just great to work with!"

American Association of Endodontists

Stacy Bogard, communications manager

"Sherry is a detail-oriented manager of programs who works well within client cultural dynamics. She corrals in stakeholders and plays a neutral advocate very well."

Digital Ignite LLC

Tamer Ali, president

"Sherry is a very professional person. When she comes to the table, she brings with her a lot of experience, many contacts, industry insider information and resources and the ability to pull it all together to get the job done. I've worked with Sherry for quite a few years and I can recommend her without hesitation."

David Reid, Experienced IT Consultant

"Sherry has been an asset to our team in assisting us build and implement our learning management system. Her knowledge and expertise on systems integration has been important to the implementation process. Sherry is also very dependable, personable and works well in a team. I would recommend Sherry to any organization that is looking for a consultant and partner to assist their team in selecting the right vendors and technical services for their organization.”

American College of Chest Physicians

Elizabeth Ball, LMS Specialist

“The American Association of Endodontics recently enlisted .orgSource to recruit a Digital Content Specialist to help support the organization’s strategic communications goals. We were on a tight timeline to get the position filled, and .orgSource was able to bring us qualified candidates right away. I am really excited about this hire and am so happy we decided to recruit with .orgSource. Thank you very much for everything you've done.”

American Association of Endodontists

Harriet Bogdanowicz, Assistant Executive Director of Communications

"Sherry is both a superior project lead and a visionary. She is able to easily translate and prioritize web site requirements to keep a project on track and moving forward. She has a deep understanding of research, and always supports her recommendations with logic and rationale. ... She does an excellent job collecting information, digesting it, and then making an informed recommendation.

Together our teams partnered on the successful UX development for the American College of Chest Physicians. ... The discovery and research reports delivered by her team were so comprehensive, that we got the opportunity to really dig deeper within the member experience to deliver more opportunities for engagement and personalization. I would highly recommend Sherry and her team."

Sandstorm Design

Sandy Marsico, CEO & Principal

".orgSource is a trusted partner resource. They have always exceeded my expectations when it comes to providing e-business strategies and solutions."

Tom Conway, Non-Profit Organization Management Professional

"Sherry is a true professional and just so trustworthy. She never misses a deadline and always finishes the project with expertise. Sherry really knows her clients and provides excellent information about the project. I just love working with Sherry!"

US Market at MCI Group

Theresa DeConinck, External Relations Director

"Sherry is very knowledgable and professional in her approach to web content, design, and management. She works extremely well with multiple competing staff and member interests."

Water Quality Association

Peter Censky, Retired Executive Director

"Sherry is extremely knowledgeable about assisting organizations with a website redesign from start to finish, including the RFP process, integrating with an AMS and design considerations. I highly recommend her services."

Healthy Schools Campaign

Jennifer J. Swanson, Senior Communications Manager

"Sherry is an exceptional consultant. She combines technical expertise with an innate ability to help a client understand what their goals truly are and to find innovative solutions to complex problems. Her rates are reasonable, she is personable and never lets any frustration with the process show to the client. She impressed staff and members of leadership with her presentations and never 'talked down' to anyone, in spite of what were sometimes very elementary questions. I can highly recommend Sherry without any reservations and look forward to working with her again."

The Moen Group, LLC

Ronald Moen, President and CEO

"Sherry worked with the American Dietetic Association to develop a new Information Technology and Web Strategy. Her work with the ADA resulted in our Web site being redesigned and refocused and our support structure for the web to be expanded. Without Sherry's work this would not have been done. She is one of the best Web and I/T consultants I have used in my 25 years of professional service and I look forward to using her in the future. She would an asset to anyone or any organization looking to improve their I/T and Web environments."

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Paul Mifsud, Chief Financial Officer

"I had the pleasure working with Sherry during a Stakeholder's Summit for a large professional organization. Sherry was a fantastic collaborator both before and during the Summit.

Her experience working with professional organizations give her a keen insight into group dynamics, as well as a deep understanding of the things necessary to improve their web presence.

I look forward to working with Sherry again, and suggest you add her to your 'short list' of advisors."

"I have worked as a partner with Sherry for about 10 years through the years she ran Net On-line and .orgSource. She is a visionary leader and always puts her customer first. She works extremely hard and elevates the performance of those around her. We are pleased to have her and .orgSource as a partner."

Rob Miller, Investor and Serial Entrepreneur

"My knowledge of Sherry's good work goes way back to our time together at the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. I've also had the pleasure of working with her as she developed her business, .orgSource.

Sherry is a high quality individual who I am proud to recommend to colleagues. She has exceptional work ethics, is highly creative and an excellent team player. I regularly consult her on a wide-range of technology issues and appreciate her expert feedback."

Society of Critical Care Medicine

David Martin, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President

"Sherry is a consummate professional -- she is an expert in her field, does her research/background preparation, gives solid/on target counsel, delivers her work product on time and on budget and is incredibly kind and accommodating as well. I loved working with her and her team, and would recommend highly recommend her."

Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Susan Morris, Manager of Public Affairs

"Sherry is a master project manager. No detail, no matter how small, slips through the cracks, no stone goes unturned. She is exhaustive in her analysis.

She is deeply knowledgeable about best practices for associations, and has a stable of similarly talented consultants to assist when needed. Everyone she referred to us for our website project was a pleasure to work with.

With her guidance, we delivered a new website on time and within budget that far exceeds both staff and member's expectations."

Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation

Keri Kramer, Senior Director of Marketing Communications

“For the redesign of our new website, .orgSource exceeded our expectations by delivering ahead of schedule and under budget. I found them easy to work with, flexible and committed to our success.”

American Association for Laboratory Animal Science

Chris Lyons, Associate Executive Director

"We have used Sherry at ENA on numerous occasions over the past five years to help us select and implement technology solutions (e.g., AMS, website, LMS). In all instances we have been extremely pleased with the expertise she brings to the table, the methodology utilized to define needs and evaluate vendors, and ultimately the results we have achieved. She is always our first, and frequently only, call that we make when the next technology need/project comes around."

Emergency Nurses Association

David Westman, Chief Executive Officer

“.orgSource has been a valued, strategic partner for our overall technology planning and website strategy. They have been a tremendous asset to our vendor acquisition and project oversight. Consistently providing trusted advice and guidance, they have been an essential resource to our organization."

American Society of Anesthesiologists

Thomas Conway, Chief Financial Officer

"I have known Sherry for a number of years and have found her to very conscientious and a great project manager. She develops sound workable project plans and knows how to implement a project on time and within budget. She sets realistic timeframes and deals effectively with client/vendor relationship ensuring they remain on solid ground throughout the project."

Tom Dailly, IT Project Management Consultant

“When the SAEM ran into difficulties with one of our vendors, Sherry and her team stepped in, got us a new and excellent vendor and committed all of her staff to keeping us on track. Without her commitment and dedication we would not have been able to launch our new web site, which coincided with launch of the Foundation web site, the Annual Meeting site and registration, followed shortly by elections. I have utilized Sherry and her group in another organization, previous to this one, and I don’t know of another vendor who is as committed to her clients success as she and her staff are, regardless of the difficulties that may be encountered.”

Society of Academic Emergency Medicine

Ronald Moen, Executive Director

"I've hired Sherry for Web redesign consulting, as well as for recruiting of IT positions. Her RFP development process, methodology for evaluating proposals and vendors, attention to detail and superb project management has consistently exceeded my expectations. When I look at the amount of work and analysis she has provided us during large-scale projects, I realize that it would be impossible for us to provide the same degree of focus and due diligence using existing staff resources. Worth every penny."

American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Jennifer Michalek, Chief Communications Officer

“Sherry provides strategic counseling for association Web sites and IT projects. I've hired Sherry for Web redesign consulting, as well as for recruiting of IT positions. Her RFP development process, methodology for evaluating proposals and vendors, attention to detail and superb project management has consistently exceeded my expectations. When I look at the amount of work and analysis she has provided us during large-scale projects, I realize that it would be impossible for us to provide the same degree of focus and due diligence using existing staff resources. Worth every penny!”

American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Jennifer Michalek, Chief Communications Officer

“Sherry is a consummate professional -- she is an expert in her field, does her Sherry is a master project manager. No detail, no matter how small, slips through the cracks, no stone goes unturned. She is exhaustive in her analysis.

She is deeply knowledgeable about best practices for associations, and has a stable of similarly talented consultants to assist when needed. Everyone she referred to us for our website project was a pleasure to work with.

With her guidance, we delivered a new website on time and within budget that far exceeds both staff and member's expectations.”

Orthopedic Research and Education

Keri Kramer, Senior Director of Marketing Communications

"Nobody knows the association Web landscape better than Sherry. She has an amazing depth of knowledge about what works -- and what doesn't -- and every client benefits from that experience. She gives 110 percent to each of her clients and ensures the product she delivers exceeds their expectations. She is accessible at any time, and keeps the client informed every step of the way. Any association of any size can benefit tremendously from working with Sherry. You can trust that your Web site is in the very best hands."

Network Media Partners

Jacqui Podzius Cook, Managing Editor

“I have known Sherry for a number of years and have found her to very conscientious and a great project manager. She develops sound workable project plans and knows how to implement a project on time and within budget. She sets realistic timeframes and deals effectively with client/vendor relationship ensuring they remain on solid ground throughout the project.”

Emergency Nurses Association

Tom Dailly, Previous Technology Officer

“Sherry is a consummate professional -- she is an expert in her field. Sherry worked with the American Dietetic Association to develop a new Information Technology and Web Strategy. Her work with the ADA resulted in our Web site being redesigned and refocused and our support structure for the web to be expanded. Without Sherry's work this would not have been done. She is one of the best Web and I/T consultants I have used in my 25 years of professional service and I look forward to using her in the future. She would be an asset to anyone or any organization looking to improve their IT and Web environments.”

American Dietetic Association

Paul Mifsud, Chief Financial Officer

"If you are looking for a professional who is positive and enthusiastic and who can guide a team through complex organizational improvements, then you should involve Sherry. We had the pleasure of working with Sherry on an association Learning Management System implementation that had multiple stakeholders and many business rules. She guided us all through the process in a calm and results-focused approach that led to a successful launch and ongoing operation. It was an excellent experience."

VP Sales at Digitec Interactive

Dick Hofmann

"I have worked with Sherry Budziak and her .orgSource team for several years, which alone is a testimony to the quality of work you can expect. Sherry is a trusted partner and advisor, who will work side by side with you. She excels at vendor management, keeping projects on time, within budget and well organized during the process. Sherry brings to the table the knowledge, tools and resources for any project, no matter the size. Her level of professionalism is admirable, but working with her is like working with a friend. Contracting Sherry Budziak and her team at .orgSource should be the first step you take to ensure a high quality, on-time result."

American Pediatric Society/Society for Pediatric Research

Deb Zirkle, Webmaster

"If you have just been assigned a new initiative whether it is a new database, creating a new website, finding a special module, etc., and you do not even know where to start, Sherry Budziak of .orgSource is the place to begin. You’ll learn all the technical aspects you need to know, best practices, and be offered options for your most difficult challenges. The knowledge and professionalism that Sherry Budziak and her staff bring to a project is the best. Whenever I work on a project with Sherry I know that my project will be completed on time and in budget. She walks with you through every step of a project and offers a team of experts to help you be successful. I can’t say enough about the incredible knowledge and professionalism she and her team bring to a project. I never start a project without her."

American Society for Dermatologic Surgery

Debra Kennedy, Associate Executive Director

"I highly recommend Sherry and orgSource. It has been an outstanding partnership and we truly expect the best results upon completion. Her approach to our partnership and thorough knowledge of the challenges give us the confidence of great results at the end."

American College of Chest Physicians

Paul A. Markowski, Chief Executive Officer

"Sherry and her team at .orgSource are the absolute best. Sherry knows the business, stays on top of trends and knows when and what to recommend for her clients. The best interest was ALWAYS the client and she consistently made me look good. And it wasn't superficial! We had huge projects that we did great things with. I would bring her in again in my new role."

The Joint Commission

Dawn Glossa, Director

"Sherry and her team at .orgSource are a tremendous resource for their clients and for us as business partners. Sherry is thorough and diligent at all times and her ability to grasp the big picture, coordinate multiple teams and manage deadlines drives successful results for all parties, time and again."